At our wildlife hospital, Te Kōhanga The Nest, we treat over 400 injured native animals each year from across the Wellington region and beyond. Your donation makes life-saving treatment, surgeries, and care for vulnerable animals possible.
Every donation, big or small, helps give these species a second chance at life. Please support our vital work —we’re incredibly grateful for your kindness and commitment to join us in saving wildlife and wild places.
Te Nukuao Wellington Zoo is a charity dedicated to caring for both animals and people.
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We need your help to treat injured and sick native wildlife at our animal hospital Te Kōhanga The Nest. Your support makes life-saving treatment, surgeries, and care for vulnerable animals possible.
Albatross released at the Cook Strait
In April 2024 a Toroa Albatross was brought to Te Kōhanga The Nest after being found near Wellington Airport, too weak to fly.
Once the Toroa was stabilized, our Vet Team anaesthetized him and performed x-rays and an endoscopy (a flexible tube with a camera at the tip) was used to examine the digestive tract.
Sadly, our Vet team found part of a deflated orange balloon inside the bird's stomach. Our Vets removed the plastic and placed the Albatross on a recovery plan to build up his strength. Swallowing plastic is a huge threat to Aotearoa's Seabirds, and our team at Te Kōhanga are often tasked with caring for birds that have confused shiny wrappers, litter, or balloons, for food.
The juvenile Toroa went on to spend a month being cared for at Te Kōhanga. This included being fed a diet of hearty fish slurry, and spending a lot of time in our saltwater pool to ensure the waterproofing returned to his feathers.
A month after arriving at Te Kōhanga, the Albatross was strong enough to be released back into the Cook Strait and was thrilled to be back in the sky.
Successful release
Albatross released at the Cook Strait
In April 2024 a Toroa Albatross was brought to Te Kōhanga The Nest after being found near Wellington Airport, too weak to fly.
Once the Toroa was stabilized, our Vet Team anaesthetized him and performed x-rays and an endoscopy (a flexible tube with a camera at the tip) was used to examine the digestive tract.
Sadly, our Vet team found part of a deflated orange balloon inside the bird's stomach. Our Vets removed the plastic and placed the Albatross on a recovery plan to build up his strength. Swallowing plastic is a huge threat to Aotearoa's Seabirds, and our team at Te Kōhanga are often tasked with caring for birds that have confused shiny wrappers, litter, or balloons, for food.
The juvenile Toroa went on to spend a month being cared for at Te Kōhanga. This included being fed a diet of hearty fish slurry, and spending a lot of time in our saltwater pool to ensure the waterproofing returned to his feathers.
A month after arriving at Te Kōhanga, the Albatross was strong enough to be released back into the Cook Strait and was thrilled to be back in the sky.
Kororā found on Airport Runway
The story of a Kororā Little Blue Penguin who was found on the Wellington Airport runway went globally viral back in January 2024.
After being safely recovered by Airport staff, the Kororā fledgling was brought to Te Kōhanga The Nest for treatment. At only 6 weeks old, they were hungry and a little underweight, but otherwise healthy. Kororā are known to live in natural nests along the nearby coastline, and this little bird probably got lost on the way home.
During their stay at Te Kōhanga, the Kororā was put on a weight gain diet with LOTS of yummy fish, and our vets did some x-rays and blood work to make sure they were okay.
While undergoing treatment at Te Kōhanga, the Kororā also went for long swims in our saltwater pool which helped to waterproof their feathers and prepare them for restoration back to their home in Lyall Bay.
Waterproofing is a crucial step for Penguins as these waterproof feathers ensure they can survive at sea. After a few weeks of swimming practice, our Vets tested whether the Penguin’s feathers were waterproof by checking the inner downy feathers for dryness after a swim. As soon as their feathers were fully waterproof, this Kororā was ready to return to their home.
In late February they were released at a nesting spot in Lyall Bay. As far as we know, the fledgling successfully adjusted to their return to the wild and is spending their days swimming after tasty fish.
Rescue and release
Kororā found on Airport Runway
The story of a Kororā Little Blue Penguin who was found on the Wellington Airport runway went globally viral back in January 2024.
After being safely recovered by Airport staff, the Kororā fledgling was brought to Te Kōhanga The Nest for treatment. At only 6 weeks old, they were hungry and a little underweight, but otherwise healthy. Kororā are known to live in natural nests along the nearby coastline, and this little bird probably got lost on the way home.
During their stay at Te Kōhanga, the Kororā was put on a weight gain diet with LOTS of yummy fish, and our vets did some x-rays and blood work to make sure they were okay.
While undergoing treatment at Te Kōhanga, the Kororā also went for long swims in our saltwater pool which helped to waterproof their feathers and prepare them for restoration back to their home in Lyall Bay.
Waterproofing is a crucial step for Penguins as these waterproof feathers ensure they can survive at sea. After a few weeks of swimming practice, our Vets tested whether the Penguin’s feathers were waterproof by checking the inner downy feathers for dryness after a swim. As soon as their feathers were fully waterproof, this Kororā was ready to return to their home.
In late February they were released at a nesting spot in Lyall Bay. As far as we know, the fledgling successfully adjusted to their return to the wild and is spending their days swimming after tasty fish.
Kākā siblings rehomed
Late last year, two young kākā siblings were discovered in the sanctuary at Zealandia, all alone without a nest or parents around. The stormy weather Wellington had been experiencing at the time possibly led to these nestlings being blown out of their nest.
Kākā need a lot of parental training to learn how to survive in the wild and are particularly vulnerable to imprinting. This means they aren't suited to being hand-reared so Zealandia's rangers searched all over the sanctuary for existing kākā nests with similar aged chicks that could foster this nestling pair.
During this search, the two kākā chicks made a visit to Te Kōhanga The Nest for a check-up. They also received fluids and a high-calorie crop feed to ensure they stayed nice and strong while awaiting a new home.
Happily, after recuperating at Te Kōhanga for a few weeks, both kākā were placed in separate nests and are now flourishing with their new foster families.
Rehoming success
Kākā siblings rehomed
Late last year, two young kākā siblings were discovered in the sanctuary at Zealandia, all alone without a nest or parents around. The stormy weather Wellington had been experiencing at the time possibly led to these nestlings being blown out of their nest.
Kākā need a lot of parental training to learn how to survive in the wild and are particularly vulnerable to imprinting. This means they aren't suited to being hand-reared so Zealandia's rangers searched all over the sanctuary for existing kākā nests with similar aged chicks that could foster this nestling pair.
During this search, the two kākā chicks made a visit to Te Kōhanga The Nest for a check-up. They also received fluids and a high-calorie crop feed to ensure they stayed nice and strong while awaiting a new home.
Happily, after recuperating at Te Kōhanga for a few weeks, both kākā were placed in separate nests and are now flourishing with their new foster families.
